Students in Transition program identifies, serves homeless schoolchildren

By the end of this school year, Peggy Sweetland expects to have about 650 students qualified for the Students in Transition program, which serves those living without a permanent home.

That number is nearly triple the 333 students enrolled at the end of last year.

"Our economy is really suffering," said Sweetland, the coordinator for the program. "A lot of our local stores and businesses have pulled up stakes and left town or just shut down. Cutbacks have contributed to it, too."

Although the economy has contributed to the increasing number of students living in temporary housing situations, Sweetland said, the growth can also be attributed to greater awareness.

She said she has worked with staff at all the schools in the district to identify those children who may have fallen on hard times. School office workers can now fill out the necessary paperwork to enroll a child in the McKinney-Vento homeless program, known as Children in Transition.

Students who qualify for the program live in cars, motels, campgrounds or double up with other families.

"The sites are all on board on understanding the importance of reporting this population," she said. "Once they are reported, we can begin providing them services."

She said she hopes the schools take an even greater role in coming years identifying students in need.

"It's a silent population," she said. "If we don't take them in, they just go away."

Students in the program receive free school lunch without needing to apply, access to clothing and hygiene items along with academic tutoring.

As seniors, they are eligible for federal aid and scholarships.

"That's a huge benefit for kids wanting to go to college," Sweetland said.

Along the way, little fees are taken care of, as well, such as student body cards, gym clothes, field trips, band and other activities.

Although much of the funding comes through federal grants, Sweetland said the program still relies heavily on community contributions.

For the Holiday with a Hero shopping spree - which paired law-enforcement, military and other officials with students in the program to go Christmas shopping - the community donated more than $26,000.

National Honor Society students at Carson High School, under adviser Elena Glenn, adopted the kindergartners who were not included in that shopping spree.

"They rallied up and were able to cover nearly two dozen kids," Sweetland said. "They provided the kids everything they asked for and then some, all beautifully wrapped."

Teri Howley and her class of peer tutors at Carson Middle School hosted a Mad Minute, where they collected as much money as they could during one minute throughout the school.

They raised $800, and split it between the Kids in Transition program and Advocates to End Domestic Violence.

They also donate 22 boxes of clothing, school supplies and hygiene products just before Christmas.

Sweetland also received more than 420 coats during the annual community winter coat drive.

"The community is responsible for all these items I am able to hand out," she said. "Without all these people doing what they do, the program wouldn't be what it is. I'm really appreciative."

The next drive will be in March for new shoes.